{"id":115030,"date":"2025-09-02T20:21:08","date_gmt":"2025-09-02T20:21:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/115030\/"},"modified":"2025-09-02T20:21:08","modified_gmt":"2025-09-02T20:21:08","slug":"everything-you-need-to-know-50th-walker-cup-at-cypress-point-the-best-golf-links-in-existence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/115030\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything you need to know: 50th Walker Cup at Cypress Point, the ‘best golf links in existence’"},"content":{"rendered":"

How did Cypress Point Club come to secure this 50th Walker Cup?<\/p>\n

The ball was put in motion nine years ago when the club\u2019s president at the time, Peter K. Barker, invited Mike Davis, then the USGA\u2019s executive director, to play in a club tournament. With Los Angeles Country Club and Seminole already on the docket as future hosts, the club was eyeing that next opening on American soil, almost a decade away \u2013 plenty of time to build a case. And so, on the first tee, Barker turned to Davis and said, \u201cAs we play today, think about how Cypress might fit into your plans for a future Walker Cup.\u201d There would be just one predicate: No change to the course.<\/p>\n

Perhaps it helped that Davis played well that day, but after finishing Cypress Point\u2019s risk-reward stretch of Nos. 5-9, Davis was already convinced. He tapped Barker\u2019s shoulder on the way to the 10th tee and said, \u201cWe\u2019re in.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Walker Cup makes it return to the iconic Alister MacKenzie gem this week, more than three decades after the match was first contested there, in 1981. The game has changed significantly since then, and yet, Cypress Point has remained frozen in time.<\/p>\n

When Alister MacKenzie and his partner, Robert Hunter, took the reins of the Cypress Point project after Seth Raynor died in January 1926, less than a year after trailblazing amateur Marion Hollins secured the breathtaking piece of land along 17-Mile Drive and the Monterey Peninsula coast, he promised to construct \u201cthe best golf links in existence.\u201d The finished project, completed in April 2028, was what MacKenzie called an \u201cintoxicating natural journey through sea, sand and forest.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI do not expect anyone will ever have the opportunity of constructing another course like Cypress Point,\u201d said MacKenzie, who built Cypress between other famed northern California projects Meadow Club and Pasatiempo, \u201cas I do not suppose anywhere in the world is there such a glorious combination of rocky coast, sand dunes, pine woods and cypress trees.\u201d<\/p>\n

To preserve Cypress Point\u2019s timelessness, the USGA has taken a minimalist approach. No renovations have been done in preparation for this biennial event. In addition to limiting ticket sales and infrastructure that could detract from Cypress\u2019 natural beauty, the USGA will play this Walker Cup at 6,620 yards, just 114 yards longer than the listed yardage in 1981 \u2013 short by today\u2019s standards, though thanks to wind, cold air, and strategic routing and bunkering, decidedly less than the feels-like distance. Perhaps the only adjustment to the layout will be converting two par-5s, Nos. 5 and 10, into long par-4s \u2013 what was a Par 72 for the 28th edition will be a Par 70 this week \u2013 though in match play, this matters little.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know if we set it up or if Cypress sets it up for us,\u201d said Ben Kimball, the USGA\u2019s setup man for the Walker Cup.<\/p>\n

Kimball\u2019s staff has dictated only the fairway lines, rough height (around 3 inches), speed of the greens, and hole and teeing locations. There are options for alternate tees on the world-famous par-3 16th, as well as several short par-4s, Nos. 8, 9, 17, and the polarizing 18th, which winds from the cliffs, through the cypresses and back up to the clubhouse.<\/p>\n

Nearly 90% of matches in Walker Cup history have gone to at least the 16th hole, so most, if not all, of this weekend\u2019s matches will reach what might be the most photographed hole in the world \u2013 per capita, of course \u2013 where Hollins legendarily convinced Raynor that the hole could be a par-3 by teeing up a ball and clearing the 200-plus-yard carry with ease. Kimball expects No. 16 to be played around its listed yardage of 233 yards for three of the four sessions, though depending on the wind, there\u2019s a chance for the up tee, about 210 yards, to be employed.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll be seeing views like this in just a little over a month. <\/p>\n

Where does No. 16 at Cypress Point rank amongst the world\u2019s best par 3s? pic.twitter.com\/68CNgcljXD<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 The Walker Cup (@WalkerCup) August 3, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Cypress Point is not about brute strength but more precision and creativity, Kimball says, while adding, \u201cMacKenzie wanted to tempt you to do something dangerous.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nathan Smith, a three-time Walker Cupper who will captain his first of two consecutive U.S. teams this week, had high praise for Cypress Point, particularly the \u201coff-the-charts\u201d stretch of Nos. 15-17.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the greatest club in the world,\u201d Smith said.<\/p>\n

Just as MacKenzie intended.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor years I have been contending that in our generation, no other golf course could possibly compete with the strategic problems, the thrills, excitement, variety and lasting interest of the Old Course,\u201d MacKenzie said himself, \u201cbut the completion of Cypress Point has made me change my mind.\u201d<\/p>\n

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2025 Walker CupCourse info, scorecard<\/p>\n

Cypress Point Club
Pebble Beach, California
Par 70, 6,620 yards
Designed by Alister MacKenzie, 1928<\/p>\n

Front nine: Par 36, 3,409 yards<\/p>\n

No. 1 \u2013 Par 4, 420 yardsNo. 2 \u2013 Par 5, 579 yardsNo. 3 \u2013 Par 3, 155 yardsNo. 4 \u2013 Par 4, 415 yardsNo. 5 \u2013 Par 4, 486 yardsNo. 6 \u2013 Par 5, 529 yardsNo. 7 \u2013 Par 3, 170 yardsNo. 8 \u2013 Par 4, 366 yardsNo. 9 \u2013 Par 4, 289 yards<\/p>\n

Back nine: Par 34, 3,211 yards<\/p>\n

No. 10 \u2013 Par 4, 475 yardsNo. 11 \u2013 Par 4, 453 yardsNo. 12 \u2013 Par 4, 403 yardsNo. 13 \u2013 Par 4, 393 yardsNo. 14 \u2013 Par 4, 391 yardsNo. 15 \u2013 Par 3, 137 yardsNo. 16 \u2013 Par 3, 233 yardsNo. 17 \u2013 Par 4, 381 yardsNo. 18 \u2013 Par 4, 345 yardsSchedule of playFriday, Sept. 5 \u2013 Opening ceremonySaturday, Sept. 6 \u2013 Foursomes (4); Singles (8)Sunday, Sept. 7 \u2013 Foursomes (4); Singles (10); Closing ceremonyTV scheduleSaturday, Sept. 6: 12:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. ET, PeacockSaturday, Sept. 6: 7-10 p.m. ET, Golf ChannelSunday, Sept. 7: 12:30-3:30 p.m. ET, PeacockSunday, Sept. 7: 7-10 p.m. ET, Golf Channel<\/p>\n

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\"The<\/p>\n

ST ANDREWS, SCOTLAND – AUGUST 26: Ben James of Team USA all smiles on his way to the 18th on Dumbarnie Links in Fife prior to the Walker Cup at St Andrews Old Course on August 26, 2023 in St Andrews, Scotland. (Photo by Kenny Smith\/R&A\/R&A via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Teams<\/p>\n

(Players are listed in order of World Amateur Golf Ranking on Aug. 27)<\/p>\n

U.S.<\/p>\n

1. Jackson Koivun, 21, Chapel Hill, North Carolina2. Benjamin James, 21, Milford, Connecticut3. Ethan Fang, 21, Plano, Texas4. Preston Stout, 21, Richardson, Texas5. Jase Summy, 21, Keller, Texas6. Tommy Morrison, 21, Dallas9. Michael La Sasso, 22, Raleigh, North Carolina13. Jacob Modleski, 20, Noblesville, Indiana42. Stewart Hagestad, 34, Newport Beach, California148. Mason Howell, 18, Thomasville, GeorgiaCaptain: Nathan Smith<\/p>\n

Great Britain and Ireland<\/p>\n

10. Tyler Weaver, 20, England17. Cameron Adam, 22, Scotland27. Luke Poulter, 21, England34. Dominic Clemons, 23, England45. Connor Graham, 18, Scotland51. Charlie Forster, 22, England64. Niall Shiels Donegan, 20, Scotland109. Eliot Baker, 22, England149. Stuart Grehan, 32, Ireland470. Gavin Tiernan, 19, IrelandCaptain: Dean Robertson<\/p>\n

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Walker Cup 101What is the Walker Cup?<\/p>\n

The Walker Cup is a biennial match-play competition, established in 1922, that is contested over two days between amateurs representing the U.S., and Great Britain and Ireland.<\/p>\n

Match origins<\/p>\n

The Walker Cup was named after George Herbert Walker, a past USGA president and the grandfather of 41st U.S. President George H.W. Bush. Walker was attending a meeting between the USGA and R&A in December 1920 when he suggested the concept for an international amateur competition between the U.S. and Great Britain. The next May, an informal, one-day match was played ahead of the British Amateur, and the U.S., led by Bobby Jones and Francis Ouimet, won, 9-3. The first official Walker Cup was contested the following year at Royal Liverpool.<\/p>\n

Format and scoring<\/p>\n

There are four sessions that span two days \u2013 the first and third sessions, played on the mornings of Saturday and Sunday, each consist of four foursomes matches; the third and fourth sessions are singles matches contested in the afternoon, with eight singles matches on Saturday and 10 on Sunday.<\/p>\n

In all, there are 26 points available, with one point awarded to the winning side of each match and a half-point given to both sides when a match is tied. Matches do not extend past 18 holes. To retain the cup, 13 points are needed, while 13\u00bd are required to win outright.<\/p>\n

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History, recent results<\/p>\n

The U.S. leads the all-time series, 39-9-1, and has won four straight editions. GB&I has not won on American soil since 2001 at Ocean Forest, where the visitors prevailed, 15-9.<\/p>\n

The last time Cypress Point hosted the Walker Cup was 1981, when the U.S. won, 15-9. Jodie Mudd and Joey Rassett each went 3-0 to lead the Americans, while Roger Chapman joined Philip Walton in securing three points for GB&I and was the only visiting player to win his singles match on Sunday.<\/p>\n

Here is a look at the past 10 Walker Cups:<\/p>\n

2023 \u2013 St. Andrews Golf Links (Old), St. Andrews, Scotland ((USA 14\u00bd, GB&I 11\u00bd)2021 \u2013 Seminole GC, Juno Beach, Florida (USA 14, GB&I 12)2019 \u2013 Royal Liverpool, Hoylake, England (USA 15\u00bd, GB&I 10\u00bd)2017 \u2013 The Los Angeles Country Club (USA 19, GB&I 7)2015 \u2013 Royal Lytham & St. Annes, Lancashire, England (GB&I 16\u00bd, USA 9\u00bd)2013 \u2013 National Golf Links of America, Southampton, New York (USA 17, GB&I 9)2011 \u2013 Royal Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland (GB&I 14, USA 12)2009 \u2013 Merion GC, Ardmore, Pennsylvania (USA 16\u00bd, GB&I 9\u00bd)2007 \u2013 Royal County Down, Newcastle, Northern Ireland (USA 12\u00bd, GB&I 11\u00bd)2005 \u2013 Chicago GC, Wheaton, Illinois (USA 12\u00bd, GB&I 11\u00bd)Future sitesSept. 5-6, 2026 \u2013 Lahinch GC, County Clare, Ireland2028 \u2013 Bandon Dunes, Bandon, Oregon2030 \u2013 Prince\u2019s GC, Kent England2032 \u2013 Oakmont CC, Oakmont, Pennsylvania2036 \u2013 Chicago GC, Wheaton, Illinois2044 \u2013 Pine Valley GC, Pine Hill, New Jersey
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